In 1898, James shifted his residence to an eighteenth century
house in Sussex. In the following years, he published some of
his best works like The Ambassadors, The Wings of Dove and
The Golden Bowl. In the words of Barbara Hardy, “The last
fifteen years of James’s life were the first years of a new
century, in old and new genres of travel, biography and
autobiography, but above all in fiction and literary criticism.”
These novels show a shift in the style and character study.

In 1904, he undertook a journey to America. He was shocked
to observe the changed American scenario. He recorded his
feelings in The American Scene. The First World War
dejected him further. In 1915, after becoming a naturalized
British citizen, he wrote an article for New York Times
(Feb.1915) that reflected his despondency.

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Henry James was an established literary figure by now. He
was admired by his readers and respected by his critics for his
wit and masterly technique. In 1911, he received an honorary
degree from Harvard University in America and in 1912, from
the University of Oxford. On his seventieth birthday in 1913,
over two hundred and fifty friends honored him. In 1916, just
before his death, he received the Order of Merit from the
British government.

Henry James wrote till the time of his death. He penned a
great variety of books. He wrote a novel called The Wings of
Dove, autobiographical writings like A Small Boy and Others,
Notes of a Son and Brother and Middle Years and letters like
Letters from America. He suffered two strokes but went on
writing till he breathed his last on February 28, 1916. James
died but left a legacy of literary writings that will be read and
remembered for their unique style, psychological depth and
character study.